Create pandas DataFrame with Multiindex in Python (Example)

In this Python tutorial you’ll learn how to construct a pandas DataFrame with multiindex.

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Example Data & Libraries

First, we need to import the pandas library.

import pandas as pd                            # Load pandas library

As a next step, let’s also construct some example data in Python:

data = pd.DataFrame({'ID1':range(101, 106),    # Create pandas DataFrame
                     'ID2':[1001, 1001, 1001, 1002, 1002],
                     'x1':range(1, 6),
                     'x2':range(15, 10, - 1),
                     'x3':['x', 'y', 'x', 'x', 'y']})
print(data)                                    # Print pandas DataFrame
#    ID1   ID2  x1  x2 x3
# 0  101  1001   1  15  x
# 1  102  1001   2  14  y
# 2  103  1001   3  13  x
# 3  104  1002   4  12  x
# 4  105  1002   5  11  y

The previous Python console output shows the structure of our example data: It’s a pandas DataFrame with several ID columns.

Example: Create pandas DataFrame with Multiindex Using set_index() Function

In this example, I’ll show how to convert multiple variables of a pandas DataFrame to a multiindex.

To do this, we can use the set_index function as shown below:

data_new = data.set_index(['ID1', 'ID2'])      # Apply set_index function
print(data_new)                                # Print DataFrame with multiindex
#           x1  x2 x3
# ID1 ID2            
# 101 1001   1  15  x
# 102 1001   2  14  y
# 103 1001   3  13  x
# 104 1002   4  12  x
# 105 1002   5  11  y

The previous output shows that we have created a new pandas DataFrame where the first two ID columns have been set as a multiindex.

Video, Further Resources & Summary

In case you need further explanations on the Python programming codes of this tutorial, I recommend watching the following video on my YouTube channel. I explain the Python programming code of this article in the video.

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This article has demonstrated how to create a pandas DataFrame with multiple indices in the Python programming language. Let me know in the comments, in case you have further questions. In addition, don’t forget to subscribe to my email newsletter to get regular updates on new posts.